MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed the departure of Jonathan Woodgate, Rhys Williams and Damia Abella following the end of their contracts at the Riverside.

Williams’ exit had already been revealed, with the versatile defender having agreed a deal to return to his native Australia in order to join Perth Glory.

Woodgate leaves after making 112 appearances for his hometown club, although his only outing last season came against Burton Albion in the Capital One Cup.

The 36-year-old is unlikely to get another playing contract, and Aitor Karanka has previously raised the possibility of him moving into a coaching role at Boro’s Rockliffe Park training ground.

Abella joined Boro from Osasuna two summers ago, but missed the whole of last season as he recovered from a cruciate ligament injury sustained at Cardiff in September 2014.